Protective bag for covering equipment motors and the like

ABSTRACT

A protective bag ( 1 ) for securely covering the motor ( 11 ) portions of equipment and appliances ( 12 ) which has side walls ( 2 ), a closed end ( 15 ) or bottom wall ( 4 ) and an opening ( 3 ). The opening is capable of being closed by use of a drawstring ( 6 ) inserted through the walls around the opening ( 7 ) and a squeeze-type cord lock ( 8 ) to be used to maintain the bag ( 1 ) in a closed position when it is covering a motor ( 11 ). The bag is preferably made of flexible or rigid material so as to remain open when resting on its bottom wall ( 4 ) while not in use. The bag may be waterproof and contain advertising material ( 13 ) on the walls ( 2 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to protective covers and more particularly to a waterproof protective bag for covering motors of hand-held lawn equipment, appliances and the like.

[0002] Unfortunately, the engines, motors and electronics of equipment and appliances, particularly hand-held lawn equipment, can be damaged by exposure to water from rain, sprinklers or misdirected hoses, as well as sun, dirt, dust and other elements during transportation and storage. Such damage often results in costly repairs or even replacement of the equipment. Moreover, even notwithstanding such damage, exposure of the motorized portion of equipment to the elements can reduce the useful life span of the equipment.

[0003] Thus, a need exists for a device to protect the engine or motorized portions of equipment, appliances and the like.

[0004] The relevant prior art includes the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date 5,915,399 Yang Jun. 29, 1999 5,800,006 Pettigrew Sept. 01, 1998 5,791,361 Chong Aug. 11, 1998 5,364,155 Kuwahara Nov. 15, 1994 5,188,517 Curchod Feb. 23, 1993 4,421,150 Masters Dec. 20, 1983 4,127,155 Hydorn Nov. 20, 1978 5,197,236 Calhoun Mar. 30, 1993 Des. 364,846 Kelsey Dec. 05, 1995

[0005] Although these patents show various covers, none provides a protective cover like the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The objects of this invention are to provide a protective cover that:

[0007] protects engines and motor portions of equipment, appliances and the like during transportation and storage;

[0008] is securely fastened around the engine motor portion so it will not come off during transportation;

[0009] that is self-supporting on its bottom in an open position to allow for easy use;

[0010] that is waterproof;

[0011] that provides an advertising medium; and

[0012] that can be made in a variety of sizes and colors.

[0013] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a protective bag that has at least two side walls sewn together with an opening between the side walls, the opening having closure means around the opening to secure the bag around equipment. The closure means may comprise a drawstring inserted into spaced apart holes on the side walls around the opening that can be pulled as tightly as necessary to secure it around the equipment. The invention may also further involve a squeeze-type cord lock on the drawstring to maintain the opening in a desired size when fastened around the equipment. The bag may also have a bottom wall between the two side walls opposite the opening. The bag of the present invention may be made of flexible or rigid material so that it can rest on the bottom wall on a surface of a side walls extending upward to maintain the opening between the side walls so equipment can be inserted easily when needed. The bag may also be made of waterproof material, such as boat canvas. The walls of the bag may also serve as an advertising medium by containing logotypes of various companies.

[0014] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the protective bag of the present invention by itself while resting on a surface;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top view of the protective bag in an opened position;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view showing the protective bag covering the engine portion of hand-held lawn equipment;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective plan view showing the protective bag covering a household appliance; and

[0020]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the protective bag for covering elongated motor portions of equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows: 1. protective bag 2. wall 3. opening 4. bottom (closed end) 5. surface 6. drawstring 7. string holes 8. cord lock 9. bag diameter 10. hand-held lawn equipment 11. motor 12. household appliance 13. advertising logotype 14. side walls 15. closed end

[0022] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the protective bag 1 resting on a surface 5 as it would appear when not in use. The bag 1 has a bottom 4 which is surrounded by preferably circular walls 2 having an opening 3 at the top. As shown, bag 1 has a drawstring 6 that is inserted through spaced apart holes 7 in the walls around the opening 3 so that the opening 3 may be closed to securely fasten the bag around the motors or engines of the equipment to be protected. A squeeze-type cord lock 8 can be used as a closure means to secure the bag around the equipment it is protecting.

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the protective bag of FIG. 1 having the same components with the exception that the diameter 9 of the bag is shown. Although the protective bag could take almost any shape, it would preferably have a circular opening 3.

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a protective bag 1 as it would appear covering the motor 11 of a hand-held lawn equipment 10. As illustrated, the opening 3 would be closed by pulling the drawstring 6 through the cord lock 8 so that it stays securely on the lawn equipment 10 even while it is being transported.

[0025]FIG. 4 shows the protective bag 1 as it would appear covering a household appliance 12.

[0026]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the protective bag for covering equipment with elongated motor sections, such as chain saws. This embodiment does not have a bottom per se but has a closed end 15 and side walls 14 to form a tube with the same type of closure means described above.

[0027] The protective bag may also service as an advertising medium by carrying advertising or logotypes 13 on the walls 2. The bag may be made from boat canvas or similar material that is waterproof so as to better protect the motors or engines from inclement weather. The bag may be made in a variety different colors. The size of the bags may vary from small bags for small household appliances all the way up to a larger bag for commercial mower engines.

[0028] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, all improvements and modifications to this invention within the scope or equivalents of the claims are included as part of this invention. 

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
 1. A protective bag for covering equipment motors, appliances and the like comprising: a bag having side walls attached together having a closed end and an open end; and closure means around the open end of the bag in order to secure the bag around the equipment.
 2. The protective bag of claim 1 further comprising a bottom wall at the closed end surrounded by the side walls.
 3. The protective bag of claim 1 wherein the closure means comprises a drawstring inserted through spaced apart holes in the walls around the opening.
 4. The protective bag of claim 2 wherein the closure means comprises a drawstring inserted through spaced apart holes in the walls around the opening.
 5. The protective bag of claim 3 further comprising a squeeze-type lock near ends of the drawstring through which the drawstring can be pulled to maintain the opening at a desired size.
 6. The protective bag of claim 4 further comprising a squeeze-type lock near ends of the drawstring through which the drawstring can be pulled to maintain the opening at a desired size.
 7. The protective bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is made of flexible but rigid material so that it can rest by the bottom wall on a surface with the side walls extending upward to maintain the bag in an open condition so equipment can be inserted easily as needed.
 8. The protective bag of claim 2 wherein the bag is made of flexible but rigid material so that it can rest by the bottom wall on a surface with the side walls extending upward to maintain the bag in an open condition so equipment can be inserted easily as needed.
 9. The protective bag of claim 3 wherein the bag is made of flexible but rigid material so that it can rest by the bottom wall on a surface with the side walls extending upward to maintain the bag in an open condition so equipment can be inserted easily as needed.
 10. The protective bag of claim 4 wherein the bag is made of flexible but rigid material so that it can rest by the bottom wall on a surface with the side walls extending upward to maintain the bag in an open condition so equipment can be inserted easily as needed.
 11. The protective bag of claim 5 wherein the bag is made of flexible but rigid material so that it can rest by the bottom wall on a surface with the side walls extending upward to maintain the bag in an open condition so equipment can be inserted easily as needed.
 12. The protective bag of claim 6 wherein the bag is made of flexible but rigid material so that it can rest by the bottom wall on a surface with the side walls extending upward to maintain the bag in an open condition so equipment can be inserted easily as needed.
 13. The protective bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is made of waterproof material.
 14. The protective bag of claim 2 wherein the bag is made of waterproof material.
 15. The protective bag of claim 3 wherein the bag is made of waterproof material.
 16. The protective bag of claim 4 wherein the bag is made of waterproof material.
 17. The protective bag of claim 5 wherein the bag is made of waterproof material.
 18. The protective bag of claim 6 wherein the bag is made of waterproof material.
 19. The protective bag of claim 1 wherein the walls contain desired advertising material. 